Danny Dyer quits EastEnders after being poached by Sky

Eastenders fans are in shock after Danny Dyer has revealed he will quit after eight years of being on the show.

And the actor who plays Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, has been poached by Sky for a reported six figure deal.

Despite that being substantially lower than the £1million-a-year “golden handcuffs” deal on the BBC it will open the door for even bigger things.

Danny had reportedly been feeling restless for some time.

According to The Mirror, one source said: “Danny has offers coming in left right and centre, and a lot of the things he has wanted to do he can’t because EastEnders have such strict rules about what he can and can’t do.“It’s driven him mad at times and he’s now ready for a change. But it hasn’t been easy to walk away, BBC bosses have been desperate to keep him.

"But he’s been insistent and when Sky approached they gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse. It’s a new chapter for Dan and he’s over the moon.”

Morale on Eastenders is said to be “at an all-time low” with viewing figures dropping.

The source continued: “There’s been a lot of tension about Danny going as he is their No1 star. To say they were upset to see him go is an understatement. But in the end they couldn’t convince him.”

Danny's character Mick has had explosive storylines including an affair with his daughter-in-law, being at the centre of a misfiring heist, and the rape of his wife by his brother.

Dad-of-three Danny said he needed IV booster drips for energy, such were the demands of his role.

In April 2020 he looked to have itchy feet telling fans online: “This takes up my life, this does. I ain’t signed yet. I’m meant to sign in October but I might elbow it.”

Asked when he'd once again be in a movie, Danny replied: “F***ing tell me about it.”

In January 2020 he also took some time out and told the Sunday Mirror: “I did a lot last year and I burned myself out a little bit.”

Danny has hosted game show The Wall since 2019 as part of his BBC deal and starred in documentary Danny Dyer’s Right Royal Family about his blood links to the monarchy.

He also hosts a podcast with his Love Island-winning daughter Dani.

An EastEnders spokesperson said: “Danny will be leaving EastEnders when his contract comes to an end later this year.

"Danny has made Mick Carter an iconic character which we shall always be grateful for, however we won’t be saying goodbye just yet as there’s still quite some time – and plenty of explosive drama for Mick – to come before he departs Walford.”

A friend of Danny’s said: “Danny loves EastEnders but as an actor he feels the time is right to explore other roles. He’s incredibly grateful to the show and the opportunities it has given him.

“It wasn’t a decision he took lightly but after playing Mick for nearly nine years he feels it’s time to give the character of Mick a rest.

He’s not sure how they are going to write him out yet but he’s hoping that they leave the door open for Mick.”

Hearing he is leaving fans were shocked with one saying: "Not Danny Dyer leaving Eastenders."

Another added: "Danny Dyer quitting eastenders has just tipped me over the edge this week